Need a little help with Christmas This Year?

With the economy still shaky, and many unemployed, there are a lot of people feeling the money pinch this Christmas. It's true we all want the best for our children at Christmas, and want them to have something special, but when our budgets have been slashed more than half, it can make that innocent Christmas list pretty dismal. 

Although, the true meaning of Christmas isn't always about receiving, and we do our best to instill that message in our children...But at the end of a year, when they have worked so hard, or we want to give them some type of reward, it can weight on the heart when you can't get your child what you want to give them. It doesn't necessarily have to be a big pricey electronic, an overpriced toy, or anything like that. The gift can always be something small or even necessities like that cool new pair of shoes or a new outfit. Of course, if you don't have a job or the money-trying to purchase these items can be hard. Pretty soon, there may be decisions to make such as if you should pay the rent, pay the utilities, or buy food to put on the table...

Christmas should be about spending it with your family...Enjoying the time together by reading Christmas stories, drinking hot chocolate, or playing games. There should be no need for worry--And there are organizations and clubs out there who are willing to perhaps make your Christmas just a little bit extra special---until you can get on your feet. 

There is no reason to feel bad, or feel embarrassed that this Christmas just might be tough for you. At one time or another-everybody needs an extra hand, or that gentle push. There is 

Christmas assistance out there-someone can help you purchase Christmas gifts for your children...

If you are finding yourself in need this year-or know of a family who needs help, 

read this article to find out where you can get the help that you need...

Perhaps you can be a Christmas angel this season--or invite one into your heart...

Applying for LIHEAP in Illinois

When the budget at home is tight, or you are unable to work due to illness or a disability, 

the LIHEAP program can be a life-saver for your utility bills. LIHEAP is the LOW INCOME HOME and ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

It gives individuals and families a one time credit towards their utility bills. It is a program that is based on the amount of gross income in a household within the past 30 days. The LIHEAP Program can provide assistance for electricity, gas, propane, oil, and even some wood suppliers for those who burn wood to heat their homes.

There are several agencies and non-profit groups across Illinois that provide applications and assistance to help others sign up for the LIHEAP program.

To learn more about this program, how it can help you, and perhaps how you can sign up, CLICK HERE.

Thanksgiving is Coming Soon!

Wow, it seems like we were all still in the midst of summer, and now Thanksgiving is just only a couple weeks away and we are into the fall season!

Many of us may be wondering how we are going to afford a dinner this year, or figure out how we can cut corners on the dinner and still make it feel and taste like home. With many of those out of work, or not working many hours, it can be hard to come up with the money to celebrate the traditional Thanksgiving feast.

There are ways to save money and also still celebrate the holiday without being too down in the dumps about the economy. Many of us can still be thankful that we are alive, have good health, a roof over our heads, and have friends and family who love us. While employment and money may lay heavy on many minds, we still have the gift of life to be thankful for. ...

--As they say..."This too, shall pass.."

If you are looking for ways to save money on Thanksgiving, I do have a great article you can read for some ideas to inspire you... Feel free to check it out:

How to Save Money at Your Family Thanksgiving Dinner Celebration

Total October 2009 Earnings

Well, this week, the first week of November marks the beginning going part time at my current place of employment, and then two days per week of full time writing. I will still do a little writing in the evenings throughout the week, but will save the bulk of my work for Thursdays and Fridays.

I am happy about going part time at my agency because I have been wanting to devote more time to writing. I would have liked to maybe have wrote 3 days a week, but the only position that was open for part time was for 24 hours-So I went ahead and took it :)

I got around to doing some final accounting on all of my writing, and have added up my October earnings... Again-this wasn't full time writing-it was only about half time -from writing in the evenings.

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Demand Studios:           $338.61

Ehow Page-Views          $48.72

Associated Content       $40.02

A-C Pageviews:                $27.52

Edubook:                             $20.00

Constant Content:         $5.20

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TOTAL:   $480.07

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I look forward to see what November will look like with me having some extra time to devote to writing:) Plus-- I need some extra money for Christmas! It is just only a couple months away now! ... I also gotta pray for good health!---my sinuses and allergies have been bugging me today :( It seemed like everybody around me was burning leaves...ughh...Smoke bothers me a lot!...

---Well...I'm gonna turn in for the night...See ya at my next post...

Need some extra money for college?

When we are on a budget, or the economy is a bit frail, it can be hard finding the money we need to further our education. Financial Aid can be helpful, but sometimes may not pay our entire tuition for college. By the time we pay for classes, supplies, book fees, and living expenses, it sure doesn't leave us with much money left in our bank account. Many college students work part time jobs just to make ends meet, because of the costs of college.

There are loans that you could be eligible for to attend college and to help pay for the expenses. Some of those loans include the Federal Stafford Loans and the Federal Perkins Loan. If you meet their eligibility requirements, you just might be able to pay for some of your college tuition....

Read more about the Types of Student Loans, that you can get get for college...

Facebook Fun

There are some fun websites on the Internet to "waste time" on or to just kick back and relax at. One website I like to spend time on to reconnect with family and friends, or to play games is Facebook. There are several applications on Facebook that are great "time wasters." Some of the Facebook applications are actually very useful too.  Some of my favorite games on Facebook include "Restaurant City,"  "Yoville," "Uno," and "Hell's Kitchen."  I also enjoy using the notebook feature to post blogs on, and to share events about what may be going on in my life. It's also been a great way to reconnect with family or even meet family that I haven't met before as well...

I wrote an article an Edubook to talk about some of the Best Facebook Applications...

Feel free to take a break to read! :)

Ariana R. Cherry-Shearer's Profile

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Beginning Part Time Writing Soon!

Well, I won't be moving to complete full time writing, but I will be trying out part time writing. There was a part time opening in my agency, and I applied for the position. I will be working three days a week and will be off on mostly Thursdays and Fridays. I will only usually work one Friday a month most of the time. So this will leave me with 4 day weekends a lot.

I'm hoping this schedule will be less stressful and I can end most of my weeks with some fun writing and earning at the same time. I will start part time writing in November. Most of the websites I will be writing for will include Demand Studios, Associated Content, Edubook, Ehow, and a couple private clients of mine too. I make a nice side income writing, and having 2 full days to write will be nice to have instead of just evenings to do my writing.

So far, earnings for October hasn't been too bad either...
 Below are my earnings so far from October...
***(These are from articles that I write in the evenings after work-note -i do not write every night though)

• Demand Studios:  $278.61                                   

• Associated Content:  $40.02               

• Constant Content:  $5.20 
  

• Monthly Pageview Earnings so Far at Ehow as of 10/24/09: $36.45

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I do hope to have increased earnings as I start writing full time two days a week tho! I know that I can make $90-$100 a day no doubt :) Wish me luck! :)